This circular chamber has a crumbling staircase on the opposite wall, leading up to a balcony that rims the room ten feet above the floor. Arranged around the balcony are a number of short pillars, several of which support a faintly glowing crystal globe.

Next to the globes are six bloated creatures that chase each other with high-pitched squealing laughter. As the door slides open, they pause in their revels for a moment before they howl with glee.

Knowledge (Planes) DC 12:

These are dretch demons.

Initiative - Hall of Memories - Round 1

Orange, Black
Aishe, Nel
Blue
Tamiro
Yellow, Grey
Orthus, Gillian

Two of the squat creatures pull faintly glowing crystal globes from the pillars. One of them checks its globe at Aishe, and the other chucks its globe at Tamiro. While neither globe hits the mark, they each shatter and explode, coursing the two with electricity.

Aishe and Tamiro are within the splash radius of each globe and will need to make a DC 11 reflex for each globe or take Globe 1 Damage:1d6 ⇒ 3 and Globe 2 Damage:1d6 ⇒ 2 of electricity damage. Reflex negates.

Nel lets out a snarl as she watches the creatures chuck the artifacts across the room "Didn't your mother ever tell you not to deface public property?" Bringing her sword down in powerful blow, Nel nearly cuts the small creature in twain, before turning her attention to one on the parapets. "You're next." she states, pointing her bloodied weapon at it.

Nel and Aishe down two of the fleshy creatures, clearing the bottom of the room.

A third creature walks from the balcony to engage with Nel, only to be met with Tamiro's blades.

In panic, yellow one of the demons pulls the orb from the pedestal next to it, lobbing it at Nel. It misses her, but the globe shatters at her feet and releases another burst of static. 1d6 ⇒ 6 electricity damage to Nel and Tamiro, DC 11 reflex negates.

Gillian draws her crossbow and pushes past Orthrus into the room, nodding upon seeing the demons for herself. "He is right. Cold Iron weapons are usually effective against these sorts of demons," she advises as she readies a bolt tipped with just that very thing.

Nope! Good for me - this is common knowledge, and both of you scored 5+. Knowledge checks are just very awkward to handle in play-by-post. Maybe there's a better way that I'm not aware of?

Orthrus particularly knows that dretch are also known for their spell-like-abilities that allows them to emit stinking clouds, cause fear, and potentially summon additional dretches. Dretches are the lowest on the demonic heirachary and, as a result, are a particular favorite of conjuring wizards.

Initiative - Hall of Memories - Round 1

Orange, Black
Aishe, Nel, Tamiro
Yellow
Orthus, Gillian - Your Go

Gillian's cold iron weapon hits the creature squarely in the chest. It tears the bolt from its flesh with a shriek of - anger? pain? surprise? That dretch fixes its eyes on Gillian, clearly ready to target her.

Orthrus particularly knows that dretch are also known for their spell-like-abilities that allows them to emit stinking clouds, cause fear, and potentially summon additional dretches. Dretches are the lowest on the demonic heirachary and, as a result, are a particular favorite of conjuring wizards.

A popular summon in must tribes. ;)

Orthrus roughly smacks Aishe on the shoulder to get his attention. "Shoot there!"

The dretch that Gillian provokes stares at her and summons a fog of the most noxious vapors; it smells of a reeking mess of rancid fat and rotten eggs. Those of you within the radius, DC 13 fortitude save or be nauseated while you are in the cloud.

One of the remaining dretches black moves from the ledge down the stairs and engages with Tamiro, step-by-heaving step. It attempts to bite 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20. However, its bite does nothing more than cover Tamiro's armor with demon-slobber.

The impact of Aishe's bolt sends the dretch crumbling. Its hand curl around it, as though to pluck it out, as it falls motionless. The stench of dretch - an unpleasant miasma of sweat, decay and infection - heightens.

Nel and Tamiro's Turn! Orthrus and Gillian are now up, due to the removal of the yellow one from initiative.

Nel releases a grunt of pain as the orb explodes by her feet. Glaring at the final demon, Nel steps up to it, bringing her sword down with all of her might. However her anger does not allow her to think clearly and she leaves a deep scar on the tiled flooring.

The twinned assault of Tamiro's blades is abated by the dretch's innate defenses mostly, its DR. The creature still bleeds with each slash, but it seems to cut less of a wound than Tamiro should expect.

Gillian's bolt hits home, though the wound seems to barely register to the dretch's continued assault. It seems to have a single-minded fury. To be 100% clear, you dealt full damage to it. Those HPs are gone. It just doesn't seem to emotionally react.

Orthrus provides a sufficent distraction from Gilian's attack to cause the creature to turn to him. It lashes out at Orthrus's face. Both claws tear into the fleshy cheeks for a total of 7 points of damage.

Struck with a moment of perfectly clarity and flow, time seems to slow around Aishe as he loads, aims and shoots the bolt. The bolt pierces the first demon's throat, and he move quickly to pierce the next demon's throat in the same manner. The moment after, time seems to speed up again. The creatures are vanquished.

You are out of initiative. Quick box text reminder.

This circular chamber has a crumbling staircase on the opposite wall, leading up to a balcony that rims the room ten feet above the floor. Arranged around the balcony are a number of short pillars, several of which support a faintly glowing crystal globe.

Nel kicks a bit of glass with her feet as she takes a few deep breaths. "Nice shot, Aishe. I don't think I've ever seen anyone take out two demons with one shot before." Stowing her longsword, Nel approaches one of the globes, testing its weight in her hand. "Man these elves sure did enjoy ridiculous decorations." She mutters outloud, "I wonder how much Eviana would want for these paper weights?"

"I agree," Gillian responds to Tamiro's comment. "I didn't hear anything from the southern door so hopefully this was the last of the library occupants."

As the group spreads out a bit and begins investigating the room further, Gillian watches with interest as Orthrus focuses his attention on the glowing crystal globes. "What do you think?" she asks as she glances around.

You can't quite place the magical auras on these orbs, but one of the orbs glows with a stronger aura than the others.

As Nel picks up the orb, it begins to glow brightly. The image of a elf appears to flicker from within. The man is wearing long robes and holds a thick bound book, though the style of the robes is unlike anything you've seen. He appears to be middle-aged, except for his white-streaked hair.

Nel's face cracks into a smile of pure joy as the orb speaks. It takes her a moment to parse what Eloquan says, "I-Yes. I've never encountered knowledge stored quiet like this before, but a I heard of a new recruit that was tasked with keeping a green house, due to the way some fey store their historical notes." Nel rambles, before snapping her attention to the shards of glass.

The color drains from her face as she considers what the shattered remains of the other orbs insinuated. "Oh no. The other orbs... Eloquan, how many volumes are there in this library?" She states as she cradles the orb close to her.

The image speaks, though it flickers due to the age of the spells cast upon it. "As of the tenth day of Yuelral's moon in the nine hundrenth and fourth year after the founding of Celwynvian, this library contained nine volumes, including volumes dedicated to religious rites, catalogs of cultural practices, and languages of Koloran, Thassilon and Azlant. More volumes are planned for this series. For more information, please speak to the reference lorekeeper."

This magic is ancient and appears to be illusions layered to present stored information. This item is incredibly valuable and delicate, for it contains information about Elven society in the Age before Ages.

Glancing around at the other dim orbs, Nel sighs heavily. "Ah, thank you Eloquan, that will be all for now." Gently placing the orb into her knapsack, Nel ensures that it just as protected as the hippogryph egg she carried on the devil's elbow. "My friends, we just discovered something beyond measure for wealth! Imagine what information we can gleam from this ancient, pre-Thassilonian library!"

She flashes a grin as she steps up to the next orb and touches it. "Hello? Are you the volume on Koloran?

"Good call," Gillian remarks as Nel gingerly places the orb within her pack. "It's illusion magic, layered to present stored information. It's probably almost priceless due to the information it seems to contain!"

Seeing that the next orb remains inert after Nel touches it, Gillian approaches yet another and carefully reaches out to touch it. "Hmm...is this one broken as well?"

"Good call," Gillian remarks as Nel gingerly places the orb within her pack. "It's illusion magic, layered to present stored information. It's probably almost priceless due to the information it seems to contain!"

Nel releases a quiet whine as the rest of the orbs fail to react in any way. She mournfully kicks the glass shards around with her boot. "I suppose we have lingered here long enough. Is everyone ready to move on?" she questions wistfully, her gaze lingering on the non-responsive orbs.

Turning towards the double doors out in the foyer, Nel tests them to see if they are locked before pushing them open.

When he's done, he carefully packs his tools away and stands by the door. Nodding to the others, he takes out his crossbow again, opens the door swiftly, and steps to the side to let the others by (if he can with the webbing in the way).

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